Folding chair



B. SHWAYDER FOLDING CHAIR Dec. 28, 1937.

Filed F eb. 27, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l MEEZ -Dec.28 ,1 937 B. $HWAYDER2,103,374

FOLDING CHAIR Filed Feb. 27, 1936 v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 5mdfiw/rmm.

' A TTORNE Y Patented Dec. 28, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a foldingchairand has for its object the provision of a folding chair which willbe simple in structure, economical of man- 5 ufacture, durable andhighly efiicient in use.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a folding chairwhereby the legs ma:

be folded into compact relation so that the chair will occupy a minimumamount of space when l0 folded. 1

Another object of the invention is the-pro vision of a folding chair soconstructed and arranged that in its movement from folded to unfoldedposition and vice versa the actionwill be ranged that when in unfoldedposition the sup-- porting legs will be extended diagonally to eachother and so that when moving from folded to.

unfolding position and vice versa one pair of legs will swing on a'swingable-member pivotally mounted on the other pair of legs.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chair ofthis class 'of means 1 for pivotally mounting the seat between a pair oflegs and utilizing the mounting means for spacing the side of the chairfrom the legs.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chair ofthis class of a hinge mem- 35 her doubled upon itself and having onedoubledover portion so constructed as to form a pivot and the other soconstructed as' to prevent pivoting thereon when cooperating with asuspended part. I

Another object of the invention is the pro- 'vision in a tubular foldingchair of rte-enforcing rails projected between the tubular parts of thechair and re-enforced by rods or cores extended therethrough.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair of thisclass of re-enforcing rods extended-therethrough and welded at oppositeends to the re-enforcing portions.

' Another object of the invention .is the proportion so'constructed andarranged that it may be easily and quickly mounted in position andremoved therefrom and so constructed and ar-' ranged that theupholstering thereon may be 55 easily and quickly attached thereto;

vision in a chair 'of this class of a back-forming Another object of theinvention is the provision in a chair of a seat Supporting member and a'seat so constructed and arranged that the seat may be easily andquickly mounted in position and removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a chair seat of asupporting frame so constructed and arranged as to engage the holdingframe in such a manner as to require a minimuin amount of strength inthe attaching parts used. a

Another object of the invention is the provision ,in a chair seat of aseat frame so constructed and arranged as to lend itself to an easy andinexpensive method of upholstering.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a folding chairhaving a seat of means carried between said portion and one of the legsadapted for cooperating and resisting-swingable movement of the seat inone direction beyond a predetermined distance Another object of theinvention is the provision in a chair'having tubular supporting legs orother parts so constructed and arranged as to be easily and quicklyclosed with suitable closing tips.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a chair soconstructed and arranged that distortion or swaying resulting from sidestrains delivered to the chair is reduced to a minimum so that a rigidstructure is provided.

Another object of the invention is the pro vision in a chair of aremovable back so ar ranged and constructed that the uphol'stering maybe very easily and quickly locked thereon.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of partshereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of this specification, and in which,

- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a chair embodying certain features ofthe invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the invention in folded form withparts broken away. and parts shown in section. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary,on line3- -3 of Fig. 1. I

Fig. 4 is 'a fragmentary, sectional view taken on linel-lofFig. 1.

Fig. 5. is a fragmentary view taken on line 5-5 of Fig. 2.

sectional view, taken Fig. 6 is a fragmentary, sectional view taken on.-line 8-6 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a sectional view taken on line of Fig. 6.

on line I2l2 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 13 is a sectional view taken on line I 3-l3 of Fig. 10.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a further modified form.

Fig. 15 is a perspective view of the frame used in the invention.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on line l6|6 of Fig. 14.

In the drawings I have illustrated the inven- I tion appliedparticularly to a tubular folding chair, that is a chair in which thesupporting parts are formed from tubes. Experience has shown that thistype of structure provides a chair which is light and possessed of amaximum amount of strength. There are features of the invention,however, which will appear from the description which may be used toequal advantage With parts other than tubular parts and, of course, asto these features 1 do not wish to limit myself to a tubular chairconstruction.

In the drawings I have illustrated a chair having supporting legs formedfrom a tubular piece of material doubled upon itself to provide the Ushaped structure and form the supporting legs 24 and 25 connected attheir top by the bight 26 of the U shaped structure, this bight 26forming-the upper railof the chair back and the legs 24 and 25 above theseat portion forming the back supporting side rails. formed by doublinga piece of tubular material upon itself to provide a U shaped structure,each of the legs 2'l of the U shaped structure forming U the side railsof the seat supporting structure and the bight 28 forming the front railof the seat supporting structure. Each of the side rails of the seatframe is pivotally mounted in the same manner as shown in Fig. 4.Projected through the supporting leg 24 or 25, as the case may be, is apin 29 which is upset as at 30 at one end to rivet the pin in positionon the supporting leg. Formed preferably integral with this pin 29 is aboss 3|,

which serves as aspacing body to space the supporting leg 24 or 25, asthe case may be, from the side'rail 21 of the seat supporting frame.This pin 29 atthe opposite side of the boss 3| projects through the siderail of the seat sup-'.

porting frame and is upset as at 32 to rivet the pin in position andthus pivotally mount the seat supporting frame between and spaced fromthe legs 24 and 25.v I

Rear or bracing legs 33 and 34 are provided and each of these legs isconnected at its upper end to its respective side supporting leg 24 or25,

the connection in each-case being the same. In' Fig. 2 and Fig. 9 thisform of connection is believed clearly shown. To make the connection Iuse a U shaped, hinge-forming clip comprising the bight 35 and the legs36 and 31. The leg 36 is projected through the supporting leg .24 or 25and upset as at 38' to rivet the structure in position. This leg 36 ispreferably circular in cross section and serves as a pivot on which theclip tube forming the leg 33 or 34.

A seat supporting frame is may swing on the supporting leg 24- or 25.The

.opposite leg 31 is provided with the fiat portions 39 and 40 and isprojected through the leg 33 or 34, adjacent the upper end. The openingin the leg 33 or 34 through which the leg 37 is projected is alsoprovided with oppositely disposed flat edges, so that the leg 33 can notpivot on the leg 31 of the clip. The upper ends of the legs 33 and 34are closed by a suitable cap which comprises the semi-spherical portion4i and the tubular neck 42 which is insertable into the end of the Theopening formed in the cap through which the leg 3'! of the U shaped clipprojects is also provided with .fiat edges to assist in preventingrotation of the leg 33 or 34 on the leg of the U- shaped clip. The leg31 of the U shaped clip is also upset as at 43 so that the device issecurely riveteddn position. This method of attaching the legs 33 and 34to the legs 24 and 25, respectively, performs an important function inthe invention so far as obtaining a structure which will fold intocompact form is concerned. The legs 33 and 34 are illustrated in Fig. 2as folded into engagement with the legs 24 and 25 and it will be notedthat the legs 33 and 34 when in this folded, compact position engage andlie in engagement throughout their lengths with the legs 24 and 25. Whenswinging in this position the hinge forming clip swings on the leg 36 asa pivot. In moving the legs 33 and 34 from the folded position as shownin Fig. 2 to the operative position as shown in Fig. 1, the bight of theclip will swing upwardly so that the legs 33 and 34 will move bodilyoutwardly from the legs 24 and 25 for a short distance, and at the sametimemove upwardly, the bight 35 moving toward the position at which itwould extend at right angles to the longitudinal axis of the leg 24 or25 as the case may be. It is obvious that further upward swinging willeffect a tilting of the legs 33' and 34 tothe respective legs on whichthey are mounted. It will be noted that the bight 35 of the U shapedclip always extends at an inclination to the longitudinal axis of theleg 33 or 34 to which it is attached, but its angularity to the leg 24or 25 to which it isattached varies as the legs 33 and 34 are movedrelatively to the legs 24 and 25.

Projecting outwardly from the outer surface of each of the frame rails,adjacent the rear end thereof, is a stop plug 44 which is a head formedon the end of the pin 45 whichprojects through ends riveted to the seatside rail 21. A stop arm 46 is angularly turned at its ends in oppositedirections, one of the angularly turned ends being projected through theside rail 21 and riveted, and the other angularly turned end 41 beingprojected through the leg 33 or 34, as the case may be,-and riveted,this arm 46 being free to swing on either of its angularly turned ends.The arm is'ofiset as at 48. The construction is such that as the seatframe'moves into the operative position shown in Fig. 1, the arm 46 willengage the plug 44 and thus the parts will be limited against furtherswinging movement.

The lugs 41 serve to limit the thrust of the member 41 as shown in Fig.16.

In the modified form shown in Fig. 14 the arm 46', which corresponds to'46, is doubled upon itself as at 48'. The mounting of the arm otherwiseis the same.

This doubled-over portion 48 serves to engage thev seat frame ratherthan a stop plugcarried by the frame.

Extending between the legs 33 and 34 to re this tube 49 is a rod 50which is spot welded at points to the tube 49. This rod projects throughthe legs between which it is positioned, as clearly shown in Fig. 12,and is upsetat its outwardly projecting end to rivet-the structurefirmly together.

In the structure shown in Fig.. 1 I have illustrated the seat supportingframe provided with an upholstered seat. This seat comprises a framepreferably formed of wood. The frame is of the closed frame type and theside rails and front rails are of the structure shown in Fig. 3. Each ofthe side rails and the front rails comprises the body which is concavedas at 52 to provide the overhanging lip 53. This concavity conforms tothe curvature of the tubes or the material from which the seatsupporting frame is made so that the lip 53 will overhang the seatsupporting frame. Screws 54 are projected through the frame rails 21 tosecure the seat in position. A covering 55 is also held securelyinposition by the frame to retain the upholstering 56 and such springarrangement as maybe desired for a cushion of this kind. In Fig. 15 Ihave 'shown the seat provided with the spring members |5I which areconnected to oppositely disposed side rails and span the spacetherebetween. Thus, there is provided a seat for a folding chair whichis upholstered and provided with .a spring cushion. The seat supportingframe is, of course, open at its rear so that the seat may be slidinwardly from the rear and secured in position, Since the overhangingtongue 53 bears down upon the frame it is obvious that a strong andrigid support for the seat is thus provided.

It is also obvious that the seat itself may be very easily and quicklyremoved and replaced, thus facilitating such operations as might becomenecessary for upholstering or redecorating.

In both of the forms illustrated I have indicated a back to the seatwhich comprises a panel 59 which is suitably formed to conform to thecurvature of the persons back. In the form shown in Fig. 11 which is theback indicated in Fig. 10,

. no upholstering is used but in the form shown in Fig. 1 and in Fig. 8uphoistering is used. In both instances, however, the back panel itselfis formed substantially the same. The lower edge of the back panel 59 iscurled upon itself to provide a knuckle or sleeve 60. The other edges ofthe panel 59 are doubled backwardly and this doubled backwardly portion68 is curved to conform to the rail 26 which is the bight of the Ushaped structure of which the supporting legs 2% and 25 form a part.Intermediate the edges of this curved, rearwardly extended portion 6|there is pressed a trough shaped structure 62. Suit able screws 63 maybe projected through the rearwardly turned portion into the bight 26 andthe upper portion of the legs 24 and 25 to secure the back in position.By removing these screws the back may be very 'easily and quicklyremoved as a unit and replaced in position. It will be noted that byforming the rearwardly-turned portion in this manner, there i s providedthe part 6| which engages in front of the bight 26 and the upperportions of the legs 24 and 25 so that pressure exerted upon the back isthus directed against against the tubes.

. countersinking so that there and this layer is secured at its loweredge to the cord 61 which is slipped into the sleeve or knuckle 60. Thelayer 66 of the upholstering is then drawn around the upper edges oftheback and the side edges of the back and laid over'the trough 62 intowhich this layer of upholstering.

may be pressed by forcing the cord strip 68 into position. This cordstrip will serve to lock this upholstering in position and securelyengage it while at the same time the upholstering may be very easily andquickly removed by removing the locking strip so that it is a verysimple matter to reupholster a seat constructed in this manner.The'layer 65 is held in position in the same man'- nerasis the layer 66.

The bottoms of the tubular members are also closed with caps 4|, eachhaving the inwardly projecting neck 42 which inserts into the tube. Ineachof these necks there is provided an opening 12 in which is adaptedto engage the tongue 13 whichis punched inwardly from the lower end ofthe tube in which the cap is inserted. If desired, the tongue 1.3 may beforced inwardly with a punch after'it has snapped into a hole 12. Thusthe mounting of these closures is a simple and easy operation whichprovides the rounded ends for the open tubes.

In Fig. I have illustrated the seat frame formed from flat metal andembodying the side rails-2i' and the front rail or bight 26. In thisframe is mounted the seat 14 which may be upholstered or not, asdesired. -In Fig. 14 I have illustrated a slightly different formof-brace in which a straight rod 15 is projected into the oppositelydisposed legs with which used but not through these legs, the inner endsabutting The rod 15 is re-enforced by a rod 16 which is upwardly offset,intermediate its ends and welded to the rod 15 at its centralportioni'l, thus forming a combined truss and beam arrangement. The ends ofthis rod 16 also project through openings formed on the inner side ofthe tubular legs and the ends of the rods are welded to the tube withwhich used. This is a, slightly modified form of bracing but it has beenfound that this form, as well as the form shown in Fig. 1 and'Fig. 10,is most effective in resisting side strains' and preventing a weaving ofthe chair when placed under side strains.

As shown in the drawings I prefer to use a tubular body in which theedges are overlapped, as clearly appears in Fig. 12 and bound togetherat 18. However; any sort of tube may be used. The outer side of the tubeis provided with a channelor groove)!!! which serves as a countersinkfor the screw heads. It is believed obvious that if it is notdesiredtoform the groove, the tube may be impressed at the definite locationsof the screws to form the necessary space for is no obstructionprojecting outwardly from the surface of the chair. 7 This preventscatching of the clothes on the chair and adds .considerably to theappearance.

While I have illustratedand described the preferred form ofconstruction, I do not wish to limit modifications as may appear withinthe sco of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

In a folding chair, a pair of spaced support- I ing legs, a seatpositioned between and pivotally mounted, intermediate its ends, on saidlegs, a second pair of spaced legs adapted, when in use, to extend at anangle to said first mentioned pair of legs, means for connecting theupper end of each of said second pair of legs to one of said firstmentioned legs at a point above the position of mounting of said seat,said connecting means comprising a U-shaped clip inwardly of the legsand having one arm thereof pivotally attached to one of said firstmentioned legs and the other arm thereof fixed to one of said secondmentioned legs, an arm pivoted at one end thereof to said seat andpivotally mounted at its opposite end to one of said second pair oflegs, and an abutment member carried by said seat for engaging said armupon swinging movement of the front of said seat downwardly apredetermined distance.

BEN SHWAYDER.

